Pelosi said Thursday that wall funding and legal protections for so-called "Dreamers" should not be linked, saying "they're two different subjects."

Pelosi, who is seeking to become House speaker in January, said Congress should pass appropriations bills that key committees have already agreed on, along with a separate measure funding the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the border.

Pelosi said agency funding should address border security and does not necessarily include the wall, a top Trump priority.

Her comments came as the House approved a stopgap bill to keep the government funded through Dec. 21.